Flush deck hatch covers



July 10, 1962 Filed Aug. 8, 1957 B. S. APPLETON ETAL FLUSH DECK HATCHCOVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTO/PS BY BEE/VA RD 5/] PPLETON.

7 ATTORNEYS.

July 10, 1962 B. s. APPLETON ETAL 3,0 7

FLUSH DECK HATCH COVERS Filed Aug. 8, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.BERN/I RD 5/! PPLETON, J4 MES J JEN/(1N3.

July 10,1962 B. s. APPLETON ETAL FLUSH DECK HATCH COVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet3 Filed Aug. 8, 1957 INVENTORS. BE/PA/A R0 5: APPLETON. B g2: MES JJEN/(l NS.

A TTOE/VEYF.

July 10, 1962 B. s. APPLETON ETAL 3,043,257

FLUSH DECK HATCH COVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 8, 1957 M. R05 2%NLK M2 3 5 E J 5 JQN y 1962 B. s. APPLETON ETAL 3,043,257

FLUSH DECK HATCH COVERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 8, 1957 INVENTORS.

BEE/VA RD jAPPL ETO V.

474 M55 JJENK/NS. afimmqm ATTORNEYS.

" v rates t This invention relates to the art of hatch covers, and moreparticularly to a hatch cover, that when closed will be flush with thelevel of the deck through which the hatchway extends.

As conducive to an understanding of the invention it is noted that wheremarine hatch covers comprise a plurality of substantially rectangularpanels which are mounted on -a coaming extending above the deck levelaround the periphery of the hatchway, such arrangement would interferewith free movement of personnel as well as that of tractor or fork liftsrequired to shift cargo, which is especially undesirable where the hatchcover is on a deck below the top deck of a ship not readily accessibleto the ships boom for movement of cargo.

Where the hatch cover when in closed, substantially horizontal position,is flush with the deck and there are spaces or gaps of excessive widthbetween the periphery of the hatchway and the periphery of the hatchcover, the spaces or gaps may cause tripping of the crew members orjamming of the wheels of tractors or fork lifts required to move cargo.

Where, in order to retain the closed hatch cover in locked position withrespect to the hatchway, latches are provided which are positionedexteriorly of the hatch cover and protrude above the top surfacethereof, the difliculties of free movements of personnel, tractors andfork lifts are also present.

Where the hatch cover is provided with gaskets to effect a watertightseal and in movement of the hatch covers from closed to open position,the seal is subjected to abrasion, it may quickly wear out withresultant impairment of the watertight security of the hatchway.

It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide a hatchcover that is relatively simple to install and which, when in closedposition, will have its top surface substantially flush with the deck ofthe ship with substantially no protruding portions and with no excessiveclearance between the periphery of the cover and the periphery ofthe-hatchway in the deck, which might cause tripping of crew members orjamming of the wheels of a tractor or fork lift, which hatch cover maysecurely be locked in closed position without any latches or locksprotruding above the deck or the hatch cover, and which, when in closedposition will effect watertight security for such hatchway and with buta simple manipulation by even a relatively unskilled crew member andwithout 55 undue effort on his part, may readily and rapidly M movedfrom closed to open position and vice versa, without likelihood ofinjury to the seal providing such watertight security.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one or more of variouspossible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the hatch cover,

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, r

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a detail transverse sectional view taken along line 6-6 ofFIG. 1,

.FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 on an enlarged scale to show thesealing gaskets,

FIG. 11 is a detail sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 12 is a view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 13 is a view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 is a view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12,

FIG. 15 is a view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 16 is a view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 is a view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 15,

FIG. 18 is a view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 16, and

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view showing the panels in open position.

Referring now to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the referencenumeral 21 refers to the deck of a ship which has a substantiallyrectangular hatchway 22 designed to be closed by two pairs of hatchcover panels A1, A-2 and B1, B-Z.

Depending from the deck 21 along the side edges 23 (FIG. 6) and endedges 24, 24' (FIGS. 2 and 3) fspectively of the hatchway 22 aresupporting girders 25, 26 and 26'. Extending laterally inward from eachof the side girders 2'5, as shown in FIG. 6, adjacent the lower edgesthereof, are elongated rigid members 29 which define supports for thehatch cover panels. Each of the members 29 has a guide rail or track 31mounted thereon adjacent its inner edge and extending the lengththereof. In addition, the end girder 26 (FIG. 2) also mounts anelongated rigid supporting member 32 which extends transversely acrossthe hatchway 22. v

To support the hatch cover panels so that in closed horizontal positionthey will lie in side by side relation transversely across the hatchway,each of the end portions 33 of the panels has a depending skirt plate 34(FIG. 6) positioned inwardly thereof and the side portion35 (FIG. 2) ofthe panel A-I, has a depending skirt plate 36 positioned inwardlythereof.

Each of the skirt plates 34, 36, at its lower edge mounts an anglemember 37 which extends outwardly therefrom. The angle members 37 onskirt plates 34 and 36 are designed to rest on track 31 as shown in FIG.6, and member 32, as shown in FIG. 2. The angle members 37 are somounted that when supporting the panels in horizontal position, as shownin FIGS. 2 and 6, the top surface 38 of the panels, which desirably arecovered with suitable planking 39 as is the deck 21, willbe in the samehorizontal plane as the deck,

As shown in FIG. 3, the side portion 41 of the panel B2 also has adepending skirt plate 42 positioned inwardly thereof which mounts a pairof substantially L- shaped hinge members 43 equidistantly spaced fromthe ends 33 of panel B-2 as shown in FIG. 1.

To this end the end 44 of the 'leg 45 of each hinge member 43 is afiixedto plate 42 and extends laterally outward therefrom beyond the sideportion 41 of panel 13-2 so that it will extend inwardly of theassociated end edge 24" of the hatchway. The leg 46 of each hinge member43 extends at substantially right angles to leg 45 and the free end ofeach of the legs 46 is pivotally 7 connected as at 47 to an associatedbracket 48 afiixed to transverse girder 26'.

Patented July 10, 1 962 V 83 with resultant injury to the gaskets.

panels are in closed horizontal position, as shown in 7 FIGS. 2, 3 and6, the end portion 33v of the panels will be closely adjacent the sideedges 23 of the hatchway, and the side portions 35, 41 of the panelsA-l, 3-2 will be closely adjacent the ends 24, 24 of the hatchway sothat there will be no wide gap that might cause tripping of a crewmember or jamming of the Wheels of a tractor or fork lift.

The adjacent side edges 51, 52 (FIG. 1)' of panels A-2, B4 are connectedas by hinges 53 on their top sur-' faces. To accommodate the hinges, asshown in FIG. 11,

a the portions of panels A-2, B1 adjacent their edges 51, 52 havesubstantially rectangular recesses 54 in each of V which is secured oneof the plates 55 of the hinge 53.

The adjacent edges 61, 62 and 63, 64 of panels A-l, A-2 and B-1, B-2respectively arehinged together on their undersurface in the mannershown in Reissue Patent Pivotally connected as at 71 to each of theopposed corners of the member 66 is one end of'a suitable hydraulic jack72, the other end of which is pivotally connected as at 73 to atransverse girder 74 of panels A-l, A-2, to move the panels between theclosed position shown in FIG. 2

. to the open position shown in FIG. 19 in the manner described in saidreissue patent, upon actuation of the jacks 72. r V

v Means are provided to atlorda watertight seal between the hatch coverpanels and the hatchway.

To'this end, a gasket extends around the periphery of each ofthe panelsbelow the top surface 38 thereof. The portion 81 of the gasket alongeach of the ends 33 of .thepanels' (FIG. 6) is held between retainingstrips 82 depending from said ends 33 and is designed to seat on asealing rail 83 afiixedto side girders 25 above member 29 and extendinglaterally inward from said girder.

The portions 81' of the gasket along the edge 41 (FIG.

3) of panel B-2 and the edge 35 of panel A 1 (FIG. 12) 'is alsoheld'between retaining strips 82. depending from said edges 41 and 35. IV

The gasket portion 81' on edge 41 seats on a sealing rail 84 extendinglaterally inward from a skirt 85 depending from said edge 41 over hingemember 43. The

gasket portion 81' on edge 35 seats on a sealing rail 84' extendinglaterally inward from girder 26 (FIG. 12).

: therein. As a result, the head of water pressure against the gasketwill be minimized to prevent leakage past such gaskets.

The portions 81" of the gasket between panels A-2, B-l

(:FIGJII) andA-l, A-z; B-l, B-2 (FIGS. 9 and To this end, as shown inFIGSJl, 7 and 19, aflixed to each of'the ends 33 of panel A-2 adjacentits side edge 51 is an arm 87, which, when the panels are in closedhorizontal position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, will extend beyond'the sideedge '52 of panel B1, the free end of each arm 87 mounting a roller 88adapted to ride on the side tracks 31.

' Aflixed to each of the ends 33 of panel A-l adjacent its side edge 35is an arm 91 which extends toward said edge 35 and mounts a roller 92 atits free end.

As shown in FIG. 12, each of the tracks 31 terminates near the edge 24of the hatchway and a lever 93 which forms an extension of said track 31is pivoted at one end as at 94 adjacent the end 95 of track 31. The freeend 96 of the lever has connected thereto one end of a hydraulic jack 97which, when actuated, will pivotthe lever from the inclined positionshown in full. lines to horizontal position shown in broken lines so asto lie in the same plane as track 31. The roller 92 is designed torest iare aflixed to the associated edges 51, 52 and 61, 62; 63, v

. 64 so that they may engage laterally asshown when the 7 portions.

Means are; provided to move the portions 81 of the gaskets adjacent theedges of panel.A1 and the edges '51, 52 of panels A-2, B-1 away from theassociated sealing rail 83 p'rior'tomovement of the panels to openpositionso that said portions 81 will not rub against the on lever 93when the panels are in closed position and with the levers in retractedor inclined position, the portions 81 of the gasket at the end 35 ofpanelA-l will rest'on the associated sealing rail 83.

Means are provided 'releasably to retain the hatch cover panels inclosed position with the gaskets in engagement with the scaling rails.To this end, a plurality of locking means are provided positioned alongthe ends of the panels A1, A-2 and B-1, B2 and along the side edges 35,41 of the panels A-l', B2.'

In the embodiment herein shown, eachof the locking means comprises asleeve or housing 101 (FIG. 15) depending from the top surface 38 of thepanels and aflixed thereto as by welding at 102. The bore 103 of thehousing 101 is of enlarged diameter at its upper end defining aninternal annular shoulder 104 on which is seated the flange 105 of abushing 106 which extends to the lower end of the housing 101.

Extending through the bushing 106 is a rod 107 which has a head 108 thatseats on huge 105. The head 108 has a peripheral groove 109 in which. anO'ring' 111 is positioned to provide a seal to prevent leakagetherepast. The head 108 which is flush with the top surface 38 of thepanel has a' recess 112 to receive a suitable tool 113 to rotate the rod107 to eifect locking and unlocking in the manner hereinafter described.

The lower end of rod 107 extends through an opening 116 in one end oflocking arm 117, the latter'being secured to rod 107 as by set screw118. Theouter end 119 of arm 117 has an axial bore 121 in which is po-'sitioned a stud shaft 122 which mounts a roller 123 at its outer end,the shaft being retained in the bore as by set screw 124.

Extending inwardly from the outer end of the rod 107 is an axial bore125 which is in communication through transverse bore 126 with theperiphery of said rod. In addition, the shaft 122 has an axial bore 127which extends from the roller 123 to a bore 128 in arm 117 incommunication with a transverse bore 129 leading into the axial bore125. Thus, when grease is forced into the axial bore 125, it willlubricate the rod 107 and the roller 123.

The roller 123 on each of the-rods 107 is designed to coact with anassociated locking conformation mounted on the sealing 83 as shown inFIG. 15. Each locking conformation comprises a wedge-shaped member 131located along the rail 83st: that it will be aligned with the associatedroller when the-panels are in closed position; As is clearly shown inFIG. 17, the wedge 131 is aflixed to the undersurface of the rail 83 andhas a doWn-' wardly inclined portion 132 along which the roller 123 willride when the rod 107 is rotated, to draw the hatch cOver paneldownwardly so that the'gasket will engage the sealing rail to effect awatertight seal.

The'wedge 131 also has -an upwardly inclined portion 133 over whichthe'roller will ride near the end of its locking movement so that thearm 117 and hence rod 107 will be restrained from movement to retain thepanels securely yet releasably locked.

To retain the arm 117 in open position, a spring arm 134 is providedwhich will engage the roller 123 when the arm 117 is rotated so that itextends substantially parallel to girder 25 as shown in broken lines inFIG. 16.

In the operation of the unit with the panels in closed horizontalposition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and with the latches in lockedposition having their rollers 123 cugaging the portion 133 of the wedges131, each of the rods 107 is rotated by a suitable tool 113 insertedinto the recess 112 in the upper end thereof.

As a result, each of the rollers 123 will ride down the inclined portion132 of the wedge 131 and be moved clear thereof and then will snapbeneath the associated resilient retaining arms 134 (FIG. 16).

To open the hatch cover, the jacks 97 (FIG. 12) adjacent the edge 35 ofpanel A-l are operated. As a reult, the levers 93 will be lifted therebyreacting against therollers 92 to raise the edge 35 of panel A-1 so thatthe transverse gasket portion 81 on rail 84' (FIG. 12) and the portionof gasket 81 adjacent edge 35 will be moved clear of rails 84' and 83(FIG. 14).

The hydraulic jacks 72 associated with panels A-1, A-2 are thenactuated. As the edge 51 of panel A-2 is held by panel B-l, restrainingthe panel A-2 from horizontal movement, in the manner described in saidReissue Patent No. 24,238, an upward component of force will be createdwhich will cause the panels A-1, A-2 to fold together about the pivot67. This will cause the edge 35 of panel A-1 to move to the right fromthe position shown in FIG. 2 and as the portions of the gasket adjacentsaid edge 35 have been lifted from the associated sealing rail aspreviously described, no rubbing action will occur to the gaskets andthe rollers 92 will ride along levers 93 and thence along tracks 31.

As a result of the folding movement of panels A-l, A-2, the panel A-2will pivot in a clockwise direction about the hinge 53 from the positionshown in FIG. 7. This will create a downward component of force on theroller bearing ends of arms 87 and as the rollers 88 ride on track 31and cannot move downwardly, the edges 51,

52 of panels A-2 and B-1 will be lifted to move the portions 81 of thegaskets adjacent said edges 51, 52 away from the sealing rail 83.

Thereupon, the hydraulic jacks 72 associated with panels B1, B-2 areactuated and these panels will also fold together about their pivot 67.As the panel B-2 is restrained from horizontal movement by its hingeconnection 47 (FIG. 3), the panel B1 will move to the right dragging thefolded panels A-l, A-2 in this direction until all the panels are insubstantially vertical position as shown in FIG. 19.

'As the portions of the gasket adjacent edges 51, 52 of panels A-2, B-lhave been lifted from the associated sealing rails as previouslydescribed, no rubbing action Will occur to the gaskets and the rollers88 will ride along tracks 31.

In the movement of the covers to closed position, the hydraulic jacksare actuated in reverse order to that previously described. Thus, thejacks 72 associated with panels B-l, B-2 are first actuated to movethese panels to the left until the panels B-l, B2 are in closedsubstantially horizontal position at which time the panels A-l, A2 willbe in vertical position and moved to the left. Since the arms 87 will bein vertical position at this time, the edges 51, 52 of panels A-2, B-lwill still be lifted so that the closing movement of panels B-l, B-2will not cause rubbing of the gaskets.

Thereupon, the jacks 72 associated with panels A-1, A-2 are actuated tomove said panels to closed horizontal position. This movement will causean upward component of force to be applied to the roller bearing ends ofarms 87 so that the edges 51, 52 of the panels A-2,

B-l will be lowered until the associated portions of the gaskets rest onthe sealing rail without any rubbing action having been impartedthereto.

When the panels A-l, A-2 have moved to closed horizontal position suchas shown in FIG. 12, the rollers 92 will be resting on the upwardlypivoted levers 93 so'that the portion 81, 81 of the gaskets adjacentedge 35 of panel A-1 will be clear of the associated sealing rails.Hence, no rubbing action will have been imparted to such gaskets.

At this time, the jacks 97 are actuated to pivot the levers 93downwardly to the position shown in full lines in FIG. 12 so that thegaskets adjacent edge 35 of panel A-l will rest against the associatedsealing rail to provide a dependable seal.

The rods 107 of the latches are then rotated so that the roller 123thereon will ride down the inclined portion 132 of wedge 131 (FIG. 17)drawing the panels downwardly and then the rollers 123 will ride intoportion 133 of the wedge releasably to retain the rollers and hence thelatches in locked position.

With the construction above described, a hatch cover is provided thatwill, when in closed position, he substantially flush with the deck ofthe ship. As the edges 35 and 51, 52 of the panels are lifted prior tofolding movement of the panels to open position and are retained in suchlifted position until the panels have been moved back to closedposition, no rubbing action to the gaskets with resultant failurethereof will occur.

As the main hinge for panel B-2, the hydraulic actuators 72 and 97 andassociated mechanism are below the gaskets, they will be protected fromthe effects of the Water and sea air when the hatch cover is closed.

Although in the illustrative embodiment shown, two pairs of panels areprovided, it is of course to be understood that it is within the scopeof the invention to use one or. more pairs of panels arranged asdescribed.

As the latches depend from the top surface 38 of the hatch cover panelsand there are substantially no elements protruding above the panels orthe deck, there is no obstruction to tree movement of personnel orequipment.

By-reason of the hinge arrangement for the edge 41 of panel B-Z, whenthe panel is in closed position, the edge 41 of the panel and the end 24of the hatchway will be in juxtaposition so there is no wide gap whichmight cause tripping of a crew member or jamming of the wheels ofmovable equipment.

By reason of the sealing and latching arrangement as well as thedrainage of water collected in gutters G, above described, there is noneed for a raised coaming above the deck of the ship which permits theflush type arrangement of the presentinvention.

The efiectiveness of the sealing and latching arrangement abovedescribed, permits the hatch cover to serve as a watertight partitionwhether'on the top deck or between decks. Hence, if water should floodone hold of a ship, the hatch cover will prevent flow of water intoanother hold on another deck to maintain the overall watertight securityof the ship. The, effective sealing action will also serve to isolatefire and fumes.

As many changes could be made in the above coni struction, and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new anddesire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A hatch cover installation for a hatchway in the deck of a ship,comprising a pair of panels adapted to extend over such hatchway, saidpanels lying in side by side relation in substantially a horizontalplanewhen in closed position, a pivotal mount for one of said panelsa,oas,257

located beneath the deck of the ship at one end of the hatchway andpositioned inwardly of the associated edge of said hatchway, a pivot armaifixed at one end to one of the panels inwardly of its outer edge andbelow the 1 top surface, thereof and pivotally connected at its free endto said pivotal mount formovement of said panel through an arc ofsubstantially 90 degrees, means pivotally connecting the adjacent edgesof said panels for upward folding movement thereof between open and'support beneath the upper edge thereof, means carried by said panelsbelow the top surface thereof inwardly of their peripheries adapted toseat on said ledge to retain the panels when in closed position withthelllOP surfaces substantially flush with the deck, a sealing railrigidly mounted with respect to the deck positioned at each side and-ateach end of the hatchway between said ledge and the upper edge of saidsupport, a gasket mounted on said panels adjacent the peripheriesthereof and below the top surface thereof adapted to seat on saidsealing rails when the panels are closed and means to effect movement ofthe guided edge of said panel away from said sealing rail. a V

2. The combination set forth in claim-1 in which said pivotarm has twoportions, one of which isafiixed tois pivotally'connected at its freeendso as to depend from the pivotal mount when the panels are in closedposition. a

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which a second pair of panelsis provided adapted toextend over such hatchway, all of said panelslying in side by side reposition, means pivotally connecting adjacentedges of said second pair of panels for upward folding movement thereofbetween open andclosed position, meansrpivotally connecting adjacentedges of said two pairs of panels, means to guide the'free edge of theoutermost panel of the second pair of panels in substantially ahorizontal plane and means to eifect movement of the guided edge of saidoutermost panel-away from the sealing rail.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 in which the means to guide thepanels in substantially a horizontal plane comprises atrack on each sideof the hatchway positioned in a horizontal plane below that of thesealing rail, the means to eifect movement of the guided edge of lationin substantially a horizontal plane when in closed I the other of saidpanels of the first pair of panels comprises a pair of arms afiixedatoneend to each of the ends of the first panel of the second; pair of panelsand extending outwardly therefrom aligned with the track, said armsextending beyond the edge of the adjacent panel of said first pair and aroller at each of the, free ends of said arms adapted to ride on each ofsaid tracks.

References Cited in thetile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,045,083 ,Illig June 23, 1936 2,205,845 Cochran June 25, 1940 2,394,784Kelly Feb. 12, 1946 2,595,248 Greer et al; May 6, 1952 2,655,889Jernstrom Oct.'20, 1953 2,674,967 Bich et a1. Apr. 13, 1954 2,707,928Farrell May 10, 1955 2,726,623 Jernstrom Dec. '13, 1955 2,739,343 Mar.27, 1956 2,791,095 Mercier et al. May' 7, 1957 2,831,449 Suderow, Apr.22, 1958 2,857,874 McBride 'Oct.,28, 1958 2,869,501 Stransky Ian. 20, 1959 Stransky Dec. 15 1959

